Shares in credit card giants American Express (AXP) and Visa (V) were sold by investors after they posted quarterly results. Both firms reported an increase in sales and earnings but there were questions over the FY26 outlook. AmEx share price: $347 (-3.2%)Visa share price: $323 (-2.4%)AmEx market cap: $245bnVisa market cap: $630bn SLOWDOWN AHEAD? AmEx shares dropped 3.2% to $347 while Visa shares dropped 2.4% to $323. Last year, AmEx shares rose around 25% while Visa added than half that with an 11% gain. American Express posted a 10% increase in Q4 revenue to $18.98 billion against a consensus forecast…

Specialist pharmaceutical maker Shield Therapeutics (STX) delivered investors more good news with the potential approval of ACCRUFeR in China. The firm’s local partner ASK has filed for marketing authorisation and expects approval this quarter. Share price: £11.10 (+1%)PE: n/aMarket cap: £118mYield: n/a APPROVAL THIS QUARTER ACCRUFeR is an oral therapy for adults and children over 10 with clinically low iron levels. The condition can cause serious health problems for adults of all ages across multiple therapeutic areas. ASK, aka Beijing Aosaikang Pharmaceutical Co, plans to include positive data from Shield’s Phase 3 clinical pediatric trial with the application. The same…

Defence firms Avon Technologies (AVON) and Cohort (CHRT) posted upbeat statements this morning regarding FY26 trading. Avon said it had had a ‘record start’ to the year, while Cohort announced it had received two new contracts. Avon share price: £17.90 (+0.1%)Cohort share price: £11.88 (+0.9%)Avon market cap: £524mCohort market cap: £539m SUSTAINED DEMAND Avon is a leader in protective systems for military and civilian use, including outerwear, respirators, rebreathers and air systems. It also makes CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protective wear. The firm said it had a record start to the year thanks to ‘sustained’ demand for its…

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) is expanding its weight-loss and diabetes drug portfolio in a deal with China’s CSPC. In total, the two firms have agreed to develop eight treatments including a ‘clinical-ready’ asset. Share price: £134.50 (unch)PE: 30.9xMarket cap: £208bnYield: 1.8% NEXT-GENERATION TREATMENTS Astra has agreed a deal with CSPC to develop next-generation therapies for obesity and type-2 diabetes. Initially the companies will work on four programmes using CSPC’s advanced AI-driven peptide drug discovery technology. The UK firm will have exclusive global rights outside China to CSPC’s once-a-month injectable weight-loss portfolio. This includes one clinical-ready asset, a long-acting GLP1R treatment…

Shares in US defence prime Lockheed Martin (LMT) soared $44 or 7.5% to a new all-time high of $641.50. The aircraft and missile systems maker posted better-than-forecast Q4 earnings and issued positive FY26 guidance. Share price: $641.50 (+7.5%)PE: 27.8xMarket cap: $148bnYield: 2.2% FLYING HIGH The defence group reported Q4 revenue of $20.3 billion, up 9.1% on the prior year and ahead of the consensus of $91.85 billion. It also posted better-than-expected EPS of $5.80 against a mean estimate of $5.75. Performance was helped by continued strong demand for fighter jets and weapons systems as geopolitical tensions rise. Q4 sales for…

Shares in online food retailer and warehouse operator Ocado (OCDO) dropped 10% on news a Canadian warehouse is to shut. After assessing ecommerce demand, customer Sobey’s has decided to close its facility in Calgary. Share price: 220.8p (-10.2%)PE: n/aMarket cap: £1.8bnYield: n/a LACK OF DEMAND Canadian firm Sobeys operates three CFCs (customer fulfilment centres) using Ocado’s smart platform software and robots. However, due to lack of demand in the Alberta online grocery market it has decided to close its Calgary centre. In another blow, Sobeys said it would keep development of its Vancouver CFC on hold as it assessed the…

Shares in land and property developer Henry Boot (BOOT) fell 10% after the firm warned on FY26 earnings. Due to a combination of factors, the group now sees this year’s earnings ‘significantly below current market expectations’. Share price: 197p (-10%)PE: 9.9xMarket cap: £268mYield: 3.6% Boot said despite continued political and economic uncertainty it expected FY25 profit to be in line with estimates. Strong demand for prime residential sites saw land sales hit a record, but that was the extent of the good news. Transaction volumes subdued Transaction volumes across the firm’s markets were ‘subdued’, with deals taking longer to complete.…

High-street lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) posted better than forecast FY25 earnings and raised its FY26 outlook. Profit topped forecasts despite a charge of almost £1 billion including motor finance compensation. Share price: 105.4p (+0.9%)PE: 15.8xMarket cap: £61.4bnYield: 3.5% Beat and raise Lloyds reported profit before tax of £6.7 billion, an increase of 12%, beating the consensus estimate of £6.4 billion. The bank cited higher total income and disciplined cost control for its performance. Underlying net interest income rose 6% to £13.6 billion thanks to a rise in the net interest margin and asset growth. Fee income rose 9% to…

Shares in luxury goods giant LVMH hit a 3-month low after the group posted weak Q4 sales. The firm blamed a ‘disrupted global economic and geopolitical environment’ for its performance and issued a cautious 2026 outlook. Share price: €550 (-6.6%)PE: 24.8xMarket cap: €272bnYield: 2.2% LOWER LIKE-FOR-LIKE SALES For 2025, LVMH reported revenue of €80.8 billion, down 5% on a headline basis and 1% on an organic basis. Demand was mixed with European sales down in H2 and US sales up, while Japanese sales were down on yen weakness. Sales in the rest of Asia saw a ‘noticeable’ improvement and a…

Shares in pub group Martson’s (MARS) fell over 10% after the firm posted a disappointing Christmas trading update. The group operates over 1,300 pubs with both managed, partnership, tenanted and leased pubs in its estate. Share price: 61.5p (-10.8%)PE: 7.6xMarket cap: £390mYield: n/a ON TRACK TO DELIVER For the 17 weeks to 24 January, Martson’s registered a 4% increase in like-for-like sales. Across five key festive dates, when trading hit a peak, like-for-like growth increased to 5.6%. While this may have outpaced the market, including food, drink, accommodation and gaming machines, the company lagged its peers. This makes Martson’s the…